Colossians 1 28 29 NASB 28 And we

Ø Colossians 1: 28 -29 - NASB “ 28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. “

Ø Hebrews 11: 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Great Rewards Run to Win!

I. Incentives Ø Incentive - something that incites or tends to incite to action or greater effort, as a reward offered for increased productivity. Stimulates

Ø 1 Corinthians 9: 24 - 27 ● Everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize ● So run to win! ● Athletes are disciplined in their training ● They do it to win a prize that will fade away ● We do it for an eternal prize ● So I run with purpose in every step

Ø Growing Kids God’s Way – discipline with encouragement

Ø Bribes ● Offering something in exchange for good behavior before you get it – a manipulative appeal to the child’s lust of the flesh or greed

Ø Goal incentives – used to motivate development Ø Philippians 3: 12 - 14 ● I have not already achieved these things ● I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ● I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead ● I press on to reach the end of the race ● Receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

II. Endurance

Ø Hebrews 12: 1 - 3 ● Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. ● Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ● We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith ● Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up

III. Great Rewards (Prizes) Ø Both Heavenly and Earthly Ø Prolific in the Word ● God appeals to our sense of achievement and desire to win, overcome, rule (created in his image) ● What prevents these from being bribes? ● We can wrongly turn it into stimulation of the lust of the flesh, greed

Ø Rewards – both good and bad Ø Incentives ● Reward for accomplishment ● Fear of punishment Ø See the rewards as natural consequences ● Example (Isaiah 26: 3 NIV) "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, (KJV staid on Thee) because he trusts in you. "

Ø 2 Corinthians 5: 9 -10 ● Whether here in this body or away from this body our goal is to please him ● All will be judged – each receive what we deserve for the good or the evil done in this earthly body

Ø Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ø Conclusion ● Run to win – attaining your potential ● Strip off the weights that cause you to stumble ● Make it your goal to please the Lord ● Do the good things he has planned for you ● Win the prize – receive the reward – the natural consequences of you serving him

Interaction Time Ø What kind of response do you have when you hear the words “all will be judged for their deeds whether good or bad”? Is it fear and trepidation or excited anticipation? Ø How can you reward your children without bribing them? How can you get their response to be one of desiring to please you rather than a temporary obedience to get the goods? How can you give God the same response that you would want from your children?

Ø In what ways do you believe God rewards those who sincerely seek him? Share some personal experiences of these rewards.